STEM Summit IV Schedule

11:00 to 12:30   Morning Breakout Sessions

Strand 1 - Legislation and Advocacy 

This is an opportunity to hear from state legislative, business and education leaders and national advocacy representative respond to the proposed elements of a state STEM plan. With the development of a statewide plan, STEM education efforts currently underway can be put into a larger context, successful practices can be scaled up, and new efforts can be targeted to specific needs so that all work toward common goals. It is crucial for the success of any statewide plan to understand and respond to the goals and concerns of our legislative leaders and to be influenced by and influence national movements. There will be a brief presentation of the elements, then reaction and discussion by the invited leaders. There will also be time for questions and comments from session attendees.

• Moderator:
  • Greg Sheldon, Massachusetts Interactive Council
  • Ray Griffin, Christa MacAuliffe Center, Framingham State College
• Participants:
  • Representative Patricia Haddad (Invited) 
  • Representative Dan Bosley (Invited)
  • Senator Robert Antonioni (Invited)  
  • Joyce Plotkin, MA Technology Leadership Council
  • Jim Fallon, Tyco Electronics 
  • Charles Fadel, CISCO
  • Jeff Nellhaus, Massachusetts Department of Education
  • Pat Plummer, Massachusetts Board of Higher Education
  • Chris Anderson, Massachusetts High Technology Council
  • Vance Ablott, Executive Director of Triangle Coalition for Science and Technology Education 
  • Richard Creighton Cole, CT Academy for Education 
•  Location: Abington Room 

Strand 2 - NOT AVAILABLE IN THE MORNING SESSION

Strand 3 - Engineering for K-12 Students
Engineering is Elementary (EiE)

'Everyone Engineers!' is a favorite motto of a new Museum of Science program, Engineering is Elementary. In this session you can find out how you already have great engineering instincts, and discover ways of bringing students' learning to life, while addressing the standards in the science frameworks. We can help you to engage students in the design of new technologies, tie into existing science content areas, align with Massachusetts and National Science Standards, and make connections to other fields, including language arts, math, and social studies.

• Moderator: Yvonne Spicer, Museum of Science, Vice President of Advocacy & Educational Partnerships
• Participants:
  • Dr. Cathy La Chapelle, Museum of Science, Boston
  • Kate Hester, Museum of Science, Boston
• Location: Seminar Theater 1 and 2

Strand 4 - Wingspread - Using IT to Teach Math and  Science

Practitioners are ready to adopt promising, exemplary and replicable ways to start, scale and sustain robust STEM programs in their districts. Using information technology to teach mathematics and science is the focus of this year's Wingspread. In the "fishbowl" will be representatives of K-12 and higher education and IT/math/science business to discuss both the current state of affairs and future possibilities.

• Moderator: Annamaria Schrimpf, Winchester Public Schools
• Participants:
  • Art Bardige, Enablelearning
  • Dov Bruker, Fourier  
  • Steve Hiersche, Superintendent, Watertown Public Schools
  • Anita Robitaille, Lowell Public School Teacher
  • Judah Schwartz, Visiting Professor of Education and Research Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Tufts University
  • Dave Shuster, President and Founder, ExploreLearning
• Location: Cheshire/Danforth

Strand 5 - Mathematics: Foundation for STEM

Elementary School Mathematics is NOT Elementary
What are the new regulation, MTEL math section, and "Guidelines for the Mathematical Preparation of Elementary Teachers" all about?  What math courses are being designed to address them?  How will the courses fit into preservice programs? What are the implications for in-service professional development? This workshop invites mathematics faculty, education faculty, administrators, and PD providers to share their ideas on how to navigate the upcoming licensure changes and increase teachers' knowledge of mathematics.  See companion session after lunch.

• Moderator: Tom Fortmann, MA Board of Education
• Participants:
  • Mary Ann Barbato, Fitchburg State College
  • Richard Bisk, Worcester State College
  • Suzanne Chapin, Boston University
  • Andrew Chen, EduTron
  • Stanley Dick, U. Mass Boston 
• Location: Sturbridge

Strand 7 - Building Blocks for STEM Change
VANGUARD SCHOOLS AND PROMISING PRACTICES
(Science Education)

Through its Building Blocks Initiative, Mass Insight analyzes high-performing schools and districts that reflect the deepest levels of scalable, replicable reform, thereby promising to provide roadmaps of conscious decision making that could help lead other schools to similar results.

As the state adds the passage of a science MCAS exam to the graduation requirement, it is becoming increasingly important to share best practices in science, technology, and engineering, especially as a means to close the achievement gap in these subjects.

Harwich is being recognized for its unique focus on science education in the kindergarten through eighth grades that have resulted in higher than expected student achievement.  Harwich has taken its unique geographic setting and used it as a springboard to a district-wide priority in science education that can be replicated in any environment.

Revere is also being recognized for its science education programs in the kindergarten through eighth grades that have resulted in high achievement when compared to demographically similar districts.  From the use of district-wide quarterly benchmark assessments, to career-ladders and recognition for science teachers, to the study of "big ideas" in science, to cross-subject learning of the science/engineering term of the day, Revere is truly in the vanguard for science education in the Commonwealth.

• Moderators: Alison L. Fraser, Director of Policy and Advocacy, Mass Insight Education
• Participants: 
  • Revere Public Schools
  • Harwich Public Schools 
• Location: Brookfield

Strand 8 - Emerging Developments from Workplace to Schools in Life, Environmental and Alternate Energy Sciences: Environmental Sustainability & (ES) and Alternative Energy (AE)

The objective of this session is to outline a vision of how students could use their math and science courses to build a foundation in STEM fields of study in order to solve problems involving environmental sustainability and alternative energy.
 
The panel includes employers who are developing and selling products an services that address how our environment can become sustainable and alternative sources of energy will help reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.  It will also include an educator who will help to illustrate how these topics have been addressed in classrooms.
 
Participants should plan to take away illustrations, knowledge and insights that they can bring back to their classrooms.

• Moderator: John Hodgman, Professor, UMass Lowell
• Participants:
  • Bill Davis,  Ze-gen.
  • Gary Walsh, Siemens 
  • A. Quincy Vale, Esq. President, PowerHouse
  • Leo Bedard, Educator, Supervisor for Construction Occupations, Upper Cape Tech High School
• Location: Charlton/Brimfield

1:45 to 3:15        Afternoon Breakout Sessions

Strand 1 - Legislation and Advocacy

This interactive session will continue discussion of the morning session about elements of a state STEM plan. This session will be facilitated to maximize input on the design of the plan from all session attendees. Questions central to developing a useful and coherent statewide plan for STEM education will be explored, such as: what should such a plan look like? What goals should it aim to accomplish? What elements should it include? How should it be organized? How do we plan and advocate for strategic investments? How does it represent the diverse efforts of the variety of stakeholders in the state? Responses to these questions are necessary precursors to any action at the state level, legislative proposals, or requests for funding. It is crucial that the plan is informed by a coalition of interests across education, government, labor, and industry sectors as we prepare our students for the future.

• Moderator: Jake Foster, Department of Education
• Co-facilitators:
  • Vance Abblott, Executive Director of Triangle Coalition
    for Science and Technology Education
  • Richard Creighton Cole, President & CEO, CT Academy for Education
  • Charles Fadel, Global Lead for Education at Cisco Systems
  • Ray Griffin, Director of the Christa Corrigan McAuliffe Center
    for Education and Teaching Excellence
  • Larisa Schelkin, CEO & Executive Director & Co-Founder of the Diversity and Outreach in Math and Engineering (DOME) Foundation
  • Greg  Sheldon, Sheldon Collaborative
• Participants: Attendees
• Location: Abbington Room 

Strand 2 - Working with Data

How often have we said, "I would like to lose some weight?"  Without a scale to measure weight, a goal for its loss and systematic measurement of progress, this is a statement of a wish that may never come to fruition.

To really improve the Commonwealth's STEM Talent Pipeline, we need to make decisions based on data that is readily available, understandable, relevant, and practical. "Working with the Data" is designed to help the participants to use data, not just find it "interesting."  The panelists will outline the sources of data; how to organize and analyze them; how to think about setting your goals, strategies and tactics, and how to measure your progress.

This session is designed for school district leaders (Superintendents, Assistant Superintendents, Curriculum and Instruction Coordinators, Principals, Guidance Directors. etc.). Participants will be able to determine what data sources they will access, analyze their data, set goals and begin to develop strategies for their respective STEM Strategic Plan.

• Moderator: John Hodgman, Professor, UMass Lowell
• Participants:
  • Ann Koufman-Frederick, Assistant Superintendent, Watertown Public Schools
  • Maryellen Rancourt, Director of Curriculum and Grantsmanship, Methuen Public Schools
• Location: Executive Room 

Strand 3 - Engineering for K-12 Students

Part I - Integrating Algebra and Engineering Into the Classroom

Middle School Math teachers will be introduced to a new math curriculum, Building Math, which integrates algebra and engineering in several week-long lessons.  Each grade (from 6 to 8) has a unit with three lessons each.  The units are thematic and each lesson has a hands-on engineering design challenges.  The curriculum meets MA tech/eng and NCTM standards.  The program was co-developed with Tufts University and the Museum of Science, Boston with funding from the GE Foundation Math Excellence program.  Teachers will work in groups on actual activities and examine some sample videos from the classroom.

• Moderator: Yvonne Spicer, Museum of Science, Vice President of Advocacy & Educational Partnerships
• Participant: Peter Y. Wong, Museum of Science  AND  

Part II - Engineering the Future, An Example of Exemplary Curriculum

This is a condensed journey through one of the four project-based challenges in the newly published curriculum: Engineering the Future: Science, Technology, and the Design Process (EtF). Each nine-week project in the full-year EtF high school course features activities mapped to state Technology/Engineering standards, in which students Engage, Explain, Explore, Elaborate, and Evaluate. In the highlighted project students must apply fundamental concepts of fluid and thermal power to reverse-engineer a patented toy 'putt-putt' boat. They fabricate a working replica, discover how it operates, test variables, build prototypes, and then write a patent application for their proposed design improvements. 'Students' work in teams following the design process, guided by a project timeline, through tasks encompassing press- and brake-formed manufacturing, fluid behavior, hydraulics, pneumatics, heat engines, propulsion, and resistance in pipes.

• Moderator: Yvonne Spicer, Museum of Science, Boston
• Participant:
  • Johanna Bunn, Museum of Science, Boston
  • Lee Pulis, Museum of Science, Boston 
• Location: Seminar Theater 1 and 2

Strand 4 - Wingspread - Using IT to Teach Math and  Science (linked to the morning session)

The afternoon session is an opportunity for morning attendees to review the learning from the "fishbowl", commit to specific actions to implement in their districts, and identify next steps, strategies and goals to achieve by Spring 2008. A set of questions will be provided. The outcome is that each attending district/member commits to a concrete plan to promote IT fluency in Science and Math during the next academic year. At the end of the day, attendees will receive a copy of Art Bardige's book "'The New Technology of Education.

• Moderator: Annamaria Schrimpf, Winchester Public Schools
• Participants:
  • Art Bardige, Enablelearning 
  • Dov Brucker, Fourier
  • Steve Hiersche, Watertown Public Schools
  • Anita Robitaille, Lowell Public Schools
  • Judah Schwartz, Tufts University 
  • Dave Shuster, Explorelearning 
• Location: Cheshire/Danforth

Strand 5 - Elementary Mathematics: The Symbiosis of Content and Pedagogy

The Perfect Stew
"The mathematics department offers us tough steak which we cannot chew and the school of education vapid soup with no meat in it." How do we avoid this plight highlighted by Stanford mathematician George Polya and colorfully described by one of his students?
This workshop invites mathematicians and math educators to discard old stereotypes and lay the groundwork for robust communication, collaboration, and innovation that will enhance and integrate methods and content courses to produce a new generation of mathematically proficient and pedagogically adept elementary teachers.  Bring your ideas and an open mind. 

• Moderator: Andrew Chen, Edutron 
• Participants:
  • Richard Bisk, Worcester State College
  • Anne Marie Condike, Westford Public Schools
  • Elaine Francis, Fitchburg State College
  • Steve Jackson, U. Mass Boston
  • Ray Lewis, Worcester State College
  • Steve Rosenberg, Boston University
• Location: Sturbridge

---

STRAND 6 HAS BEEN INTEGRATED INTO STRAND 1. SEE DESCRIPTION ABOVE.

In honor of Massachusetts' new AP initiative, which is part of the College-Ready Agenda, this second Building Blocks presentation will focus on strategies from schools and districts that are using Advanced Placement as a driver to improve performance throughout the system.  With the expectation of AP options for all students, teachers from the earliest grades in a district must improve their content skills, to prepare pupils for high level success in 11th and 12th grades.

Advanced Placement is important because it gives average students a chance to experience heavy college work loads and long, analytical college examinations. Studies by U.S. Department of Education senior researcher Clifford Adelman in 1999 and 2005 showed that the best predictor of college graduation was not good high-school grades or test scores, but whether a student had an intense academic experience in high school. Such experiences were produced by taking higher-level math, science and English courses and struggling with the demands of college-level courses like AP. Two recent studies of more than 150,000 students found if they were exposed to AP classes and exams, they were more likely to succeed in college.

This session will focus on schools and districts that are using various strategies to prepare students for college-level success using AP and Pre-AP.

• Moderators: Alison L. Fraser, Director of Policy and Advocacy, Mass Insight Education
• Participants: The John D. O'Bryant Math and Science School, Boston
• Location: Brookfield

Strand 8 - Emerging Developments from Workplace to Schools in Life, Environmental and Alternate Energy Sciences: Alternative Energy

This session will provide attendees with information about what is happening in cutting edge biotechnology labs and how the educational pipeline directly ties to one company's product development. Education experts will discuss how they are creating student interest in biotechnology.

• Moderator: Lance Hartford, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Biotechnology Education Foundation
• Participants:
  • John Sauers, Training Manager Abbott Biosearch Center
  • Mike Doremus, Abbott Biosearch Center
  • Bill Rigney, Science Department Chair Marlboro High School
  • Carolyn Richards, Supervisor of Guidance and Testing, Somerville High School 
• Location: Charlton/Brimfield